Amory C. Simons Dog Model Collection

Collection

Identifier: Mem 59

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

This collection comprises 13 scale miniature model dogs of various breeds and types made of plaster and hand-painted. They depict the six-fold classification of dogs: sporting, toy, hounds, non-sporting, terrier, and work dogs. Created by Amory Coffin Simons during World War II, from 1938 to 1947, these 13 model dogs are a representative sample of an extensive collection of 88 figures, out of which more than 65 were presented by the American Museum of Natural History in an "Exhibit of Miniature Dog Models" that went from February 9 to March 1, 1948.

Dates

1937-1948

Creator

Simons, Amory Coffin (1869-1959) (Sculptor, Person)

Historical Note

Amory Coffin Simons created these dog models between 1938 and 1947 while he was residing in England. They were later owned by Mrs. Irene Sophie du Pont, who, in 1947, gifted them to the Department of Mammals (now Department of Mammalogy) of the American Museum of Natural History (AMNH). Over 65 figures from this collection were featured in an "Exhibit of Miniature Dog Models," held in the Theodore Roosevelt Memorial Hall, which opened on February 9, 1948, and closed on March 1. Around 1986, the dog models were permanently loaned to the American Kennel Club Museum of the Dog. In 2018 they were returned to AMNH.

Extent

5.11 Linear Feet (13 boxes) : Thirteen scale miniature dog models made out of plaster and hand-painted.

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Custodial History

Mrs. Irene Sophie du Pont was the wife of Irénée du Pont I (1876-1963), former president of the E.I. du Pont de Nemours and Company, the largest chemical company in the world by sales as of 2020. Mrs. Du Pont gifted this collection in 1947 to the Department of Mammals (Department of Mammalogy) of the American Museum of Natural History (AMNH). Around 1986, it was permanently loaned to the American Kennel Club Museum, which returned it to AMNH in 2018. The original collection of the dog models had 88 figures. 13 were selected as a small representative sample, and the rest were deaccessioned in 2019.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Gift of Irene Sophie du Pont made in 1947 to the Department of Mammals (Department of Mammalogy).

Related Materials

Amory Coffin Simons also created horse sculptures for the American Museum of Natural History (AMNH), some of which are the following: Neohipparion Three-toed Horse (1924) Arabian Stallion “Nimr” (1922), Lee Axworthy (1925), Sysonby, Pliohippus Mother and Colt, and Pliohippus Colt.